Nursery FAQ

Q: How do you help my child to settle in?

A: We don’t have a fixed method of settling a child in, as each child is unique. We will discuss your child’s needs with you before they start and tailor the approach accordingly. We take into account your home routine (including sleeping and eating times) and your child’s favourite toys, games and interests.

Q: What do I need to bring?

A: If your child is in over the lunchtime period you will need to supply a packed lunch. We do not have enough space in our fridges, so please use a cool box style bag with an ice pack to keep the food fresh.

Drinks and snacks are provided however Blossoming Braeburns and Pre-School Pippins can bring their own bottle of water/juice to keep in the room. The children then have access to their drink at any time and this fits in with the routine they will have when they go to school.

Q: What will my child eat when at nursery?

A: This depends on the time of attendance. In the morning we provide toast or cereal and the mid-afternoon snack will be fruit, vegetables, cheese, biscuits etc. If your child stays past 4pm then a light tea is provided e.g. sandwiches, beans on toast, jacket potato, fruit or yoghurt etc.

If your child is in over the lunchtime period you will need to supply a packed lunch. We do not have enough space in our fridges, so please use a cool box style bag with an ice pack to keep the food fresh.

Q: How flexible are sessions?

A: At Appletree Nursery we offer a flexible approach to childcare, therefore please speak to us with your requirements and we will work together to ensure your childcare needs are met. We have to adhere to strict legal guidelines on the number of children allowed per session so we may not always be able to meet your requests.

Q: Do you offer free nursery?

A: All children are eligible for Free Early Learning (FEL) from the term AFTER their 3rd birthday. This allows you access to 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. There is also a ‘stretched’ offer which allows you access to 12 hours per week over 47 weeks of the year.

Families on low incomes and on certain benefits may also be eligible for FEL when they are 2 years old.

Q: How do I pay?

A: We will send you an invoice at the beginning of each month detailing your sessions. Payment is required by the end of that month. We prefer you to pay by bank transfer, direct debit or standing order. We also accept childcare vouchers, cash and cheques.

Please see our Payment Policy for all the details. There is also a copy on the notice board in the entrance of Pre-School Pippins building.

Q: How and what will my child learn?

A: Our children learn through play – young children don’t learn by being taught, they learn by doing. This means that they will learn about weight/capacity through playing with water, learn to write by playing in sand etc.

Q: How do you prepare my child for school?

A: We are always getting children prepared for school, simple things like having their own coat hook with their name on and having lunch together. Our Pre-School Pippins have ‘School Club’ the term before they start school where they practice writing their name, getting changed for P.E., taking the register, learning numbers and Jolly Phonics.

Q: What happens if my child needs medicine?

A: If your child is unwell we will call you and discuss the options. We may gain your agreement to administer Calpol or agree that they should be collected from nursery.

We can administer prescribed medicine, a ‘Medicine Administration Form’ must be completed and signed with a member of staff.

Q: What is the staff to child ratio?

A: This is the minimum number of staff we must have on duty to care for a set number of children. This is set by Ofsted and we always aim to have more than the minimum staff to child ratios.

Baby Bramleys – 1:3

Blossoming Braeburns – 1:4

Pre-School Pippins – 1:8

Q: What is a key person and will my child have one?

A: A key person is assigned to your child and they are your main point of contact to discuss the care and development of your child. Development reports are completed and available to you every term. Parent/Carers evenings are held once a year but you can arrange a visit at any time.

Baby Bramleys (3m-2y) have a record book which documents their daily activities e.g. sleep and eat times, nappy changes, activities they have done etc.

Q: Can you deal with special requirements?

A: Yes we can.

Please see the list below and if you cannot find the answer, please contact us to discuss.

Breastfeeding – we will store and use breast milk provided.

Reusable nappies – can be used. Soiled nappies will be stored for you to collect at the end of your child’s session.

Dietary and medical requirements – we have strict controls to deal with foods to be excluded (e.g. allergies, vegetarians) and medicines to be administered. We will discuss all the requirements and a care plan will be put in place for when your child starts nursery.

Q: What is EYFS?

A: There is a very useful booklet called ‘What To Expect, When’ available to download from the Foundation Years website. The purpose of this booklet is to help you as a parent/carer find out more about how your child is learning and developing during their first five years, in relation to the EYFS.

Children develop more rapidly during the first five years of their lives than at any other time. This booklet has been written to help you as a parent know what to expect during these vitally important years by focusing on the seven areas of learning and development which are covered in the EYFS.

Q: How can I ensure my child is getting a healthy start in life?

A: Our staff can offer support in healthy eating and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Appletree Childcare recognises the importance of breastfeeding. We offer support to mothers who choose to breastfeed their babies, toddlers and children. We provide a safe environment in which to feed and we will store and use breastmilk provided.

Testimonials

Selina

Mum to Heath and Lowri

“Both my children attended until we moved recently. They enjoyed their time there, hit all their key milestones, made great friends and loved the staff.

The recent improvements to the building provide a fabulous indoor and outdoor space for the older children. There is lots to keep the children busy, a well qualified team with great structured learning, adhering to the curriculum.

They have also had great feedback from Ofsted too, which is great to know as a parent.”

Julia

Mum to Maisie

“Within weeks of starting at Appletree Maisie began to flourish and I have been delighted with her progress ever since. Getting Maisie to wear hearing aids has been difficult but with the support of the Appletree staff she is now wearing them every day and her speech has improved dramatically.

The support and care Maisie has been given has been fantastic and it is comforting for me to know that she is in such a loving and friendly environment while I am at work.”

Lisa

Mum to Chloe

“I am more than happy with the care Chloe has received at Appletree. All the staff are great with the children and I would definitely recommend the nursery to others”.

Georgina

Mum to Fearne and Poppy

“Appletree is a caring environment in which both my daughters have flourished. Staff are approachable and really engage with children in order to develop their interests and help them to learn through a wide range of appropriate activities and play.

I would highly recommend the care provided and am so pleased my children benefitted from their positive experiences at Appletree. Thank you to the whole team”.

Michelle

Mum to William

“I have used Lound After School Club in Chapeltown for the last 8 years. My children have always been well cared for and are always happy to attend. The attitude of all the staff is excellent, I really can’t praise them highly enough”.

Claire

Mum to Maddison

“Maddison really enjoys coming to Appletree. It’s enjoyable and has different things to do, making things and playing with different friends.

Appletree is a very good service as they pick the children up from school, walk them to their place and stay open till late. It gives you time to leave work and get to pick your child up in plenty of time.

Appletree is a reasonable price”.

Polly

Mum to Lucy and Charlotte

“I love the security of knowing my children are safe and well cared for after school. When I come to collect them they are always laughing and having fun with staff who know them and cater to all their needs”.

Karen

Mum to Paige

“Paige thoroughly enjoys her time at Appletree. She only attends once a week but I can never get her out. I find Kristy, Jess and Fay to be extremely helpful and always smiling and friendly. I would definitely recommend”.

Elizabeth

Mum to Samuel

“Appletree After School Club provides an excellent standard of childcare in safe surroundings. My son goes every week and has done since his first week of starting school.

The level of care is of a high standard, provided by trained staff who are caring, enthusiastic and engage all children in a variety of activities.

Appletree staff take immediate responsibility of children from school finishing time ensure children wear high visibility clothing where appropriate, they then walk the children to After School Club. My son thoroughly enjoys his time at After School Club and always want to stay there when I arrive to collect him.

My son also attends Appletree Holiday Club in the holidays and again a very high level of care is provided in a relaxing environment, allowing children to play indoors and out in conjunction with excellent organised trips and activities.

Both the After School and Holiday Club provide the level of care you want for your child and all staff are friendly and approachable, many of them my son sees as ‘second mums’!”

Harriet

Aged 8

“I like Appletree because of the people who come!”

Our Nursery

To provide quality, affordable and flexible childcare to ALL children in a secure environment with exciting and stimulating surroundings.